LOCAL INFORMATION.

After sun-set yesterday, we had, pretty generally, a fall of snow-New-Year's morn, therefore, has presented itself like a new made bride in virgin white, emblematic, we trust, of the pleasure it has in store for us, ere, like its predecessor, it also becomes defunct.

COLONEL FORTUNE.-A gentleman, so calling himself, who sojourned at the Gloucester Arms Hotel for better than a twelvemonth, obtained his rank and distinction, it is said, by being what is called a Colonel of Guides in the American war, in America, under the command of Lord Cornwallis. He was pensioned by his Lordship; his income was rather under 1001. per annum. He left the Gloucester Hotel for Hurst, a village ten or twelve miles hence, nearly six months ago, in the hope of improving his health. He was naturally of a cheerful disposition, and which did not desert him in his illness, though attended with a gradual but general decay of the whole system. Finding his end inevitably approaching he ordered a coffin, for which he was measured, and had it fashioned according to his own fancy, it consisted of polished planks of elm, without the ornamental nails; but with the initial letters of his christian and surname on the lid. The inscription followed-no term of his age was specified, which was about 75 or 76. This depository for his remains completed, he carefully aired a pair of white silk hose, white overalls or trousers, a light morning gown, and a white cotton night-cap. Those he continued to pay attention to, that they might be fit for use, he said, when needed. His particular request was, that when consigned to his " doom's-day habitation," his arms in his coffin should not be extended on each side of him, but placed across the breast. His dissolution occurred at Hurst, about three weeks since. He died without a struggle or apparent pain. It is almost superfluous to add, that every iota of his wishes, as above expressed, were scrupulously observed as the indispensable preliminaries to his interment.

At one of our libraries, a few days since, where political affairs, as conversation may chance to take its turn, will sometimes with undisguised freedom be discussed, in respect to the present posture of affairs between France and Spain, a gentlemen thus forcibly expressed himself :-"It is impossible that England, after so much blood and treasure have been wasted to drive a faithless enemy out of Spain, can look tamely on and witness a similar ag

gression with the present Government of France. In the event of hostilities, therefore, England, sooner or later, must make common cause with Spain. What right has France, or the allied Sovereigns, to dictate to Spain her form of Government, provided the latter has no views in what she does but such as open upon her own internal representations? All England-all the world besides, must set their faces against so mad an interference; and France, eventfully, must be crest-fallen and defeated in the rash attempt."

The harmonic society the Catch and Glee Club, at the Golden Cross Inn, has much increased its number of subscribing members lately, and we are not surprised at it, the improved vocal attractions, in their several combinations, affording a treat to the amateurs of such a rational and enlivening species of harmony, not to be equalled in any other part of Sussex, nor surpassed, in the beauties of selection and correctness of tones and execution, perhaps, in the united kingdom. Among the visiters, who, of late, have been numerous, we observed Lord Paulett, several of the officers of the Life Guards, and Fusiliers, and others of high rank in society and fashionable distinction.-The weekly meeting last night opened a scene of harmony which all alike enjoyed. It being the closing day of the year, the harmonies were continued to give a suitable welcome to the present, for better than an hour beyond the usual time of closing the Club-room. The catalogue of the Club's music was about to be referred to, for the purpose of selecting a composition, to be commenced before, and continued after, midnight, as appropriate to the occasion, when a member suggested the propriety of giving the preference to the National Anthem, inasmuch as it would appear as confirmatory of the loyal principles of the society, in the month past, and predictive of what they were invariably intended to be in the year to come. The suggestion was received with enthusiasm, and "God save the King" verse and chorus, consecrated the final declension of the year past, and gave a joyous welcome to the earliest dawn of the one begun. Huzzas, spontaneously, fourtimes-four, followed-after which, bumpers were proposed, and "George the Fourth" was given from the chair, with a repetition of four-times-four, and with, perhaps, forty-times-four, ere the enthusiastic feeling excited had entirely subsided. "Hail, smil

ing morn" charmingly sung, was the last glee of the night, or, rather, morning-aud the last offering to challenge the glass, May the regrets of the past year be lost in the happiness of the present," was welcomed by three-times-three, which closed the animated pleasures of the night.

History, Biographical Traits, (tr. (tc.

EPITOME OF BRIGHTON.

(Continued from page 171).

BIBLE SOCIETIES.-The British and Foreign Bible Society, was instituted in 1804, for the distinct and exclusive purpose of promoting, to the largest practicable extent, the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment, both at home and abroad. The constitution of the Society admits the co-operation of persons of every religious pesuasion, who are disposed to concur in its support. Accordingly, in order to produce the greater combination of zeal, in behalf of the institution, the formation of Auxiliary Societies, in the different counties and populous districts, was agreed upon, to co-operate with the Parent İnstitution. These Auxiliary establishments, by supplying the demand for Bibles within their sphere of action, it was justly conceived, would leave the society in London more at liberty to attend to the circulation of the Bible in Foreign parts. With this object, a Bible Society was established at Lewes, for the county of Sussex, of which, Thomas Read Kemp, Esq. is the President, the Committee meetings of which are held every two months, alternately, at Lewes and Brighthelmston. Experience, however, having proved, that Auxiliary Societies so formed, were yet unable to ascertain the local wants of particular parts of each county, other associations, to the same effect, were recommended, not only that the poor might the more sufficiently be brought under the more immediate notice of their wealthier neighbours, and their wants, with the greater facility, be discovered, but that they themselves might also be induced to take an extra interest in the circulation of the volume of sacred truths, and become either the purchasers of Bibles at reduced prices, or aid

the funds by moderate weekly contributions of their own. Impressed with the importance of this suggestion, a meeting of the inhabitants of this town took place at the Old Ship Tavern, on Monday, July the 5th, 1813, when the present Association for Brighthelmston and its vicinity, was the result; and of which the Rev. R. J., now Doctor Carr, and Dean of Hereford, is the President; N. Kemp, Esq. and the Rev. Dr. Styles, VicePresidents; Messrs. W. Penfold and Grover Kemp, Secretaries; and W. Wigney, Esq. Treasurer. A Committee of management, consisting of thirty persons, fifteen of the established church, and fifteen dissenters, was also apointed at the same time.

One great object of this association, therefore, was to call forth the exertions of the poor themselves, in promoting the great cause of circulating the Scriptures, and in which, it is gratifying to add, that the just and pious intentions of its institutors, have been most encouragingly successful.

One resolution of this society convenes a general meeting of the subscribers at the Old ship Tavern, every year, for the purpose of auditing the accounts, reporting proceedings, choosing managers, &c.

SOCIETY OF UNITED FISHERMEN.-The Society of United Fishermen, which has his Majesty for its Patron, was instituted in November, 1813, its peculiar objects being to administer to its members, fishermen only, and their families, relief, when required, in cases of sickness; to widows and children: to the superannuated of the fraternity; and to furnish a compensation for losses by casualties, to which, from the nature of their employment, they are often liable.

To entitle themselves to the full benefits of this institution, the subscribers, during nine months of the year, pay one shilling per week, individually, in support of the fund, and one pound annually for every boat.

The donations in support of this society have been considerable; among a variety of other subscriptions, are the following: -the late Duke of Kent twenty pounds, the late Sir Thomas Bernard, Bart. thirty pounds, the Earl of Egremont, twenty guineas, Lewis Way, Esq. twenty guineas, Earl and Countess Craven, thirty pounds, A. Burt, Esq. ten guineas, Sir R. Burnett, ten guineas, Grefulhe, Esq. ten guineas, Thomas Read Kemp, Esq. ten guineas, N. Kemp, Esq. ten guineas, Philip Mighell, Esq. ten guineas, Rev. W. Marsh, Esq. ten guineas, John Mortlock, Esq. ten guineas, Joseph Reyner, Esq. ten guineas, U. Satteris, Esq. ten guineas, John, Philip, and James Vallance, Esqrs. ten guineas each, W. Wigney, Esq. ten guineas, &c.

MATERNAL SOCIETY. A Society, denominated the Maternal Society, was formed here in July, 1813, and which, from the most trifling means, has diffused benefits that can scarcely be too warmly eulogized, as they have been directed to those points

where poverty doubles its afflictions when unfortunately felt, and where victims of its influence are deserving of every supporting regard. The object of this most excellent charity is, to provide childbed linen, and other suitable articles of clothing, with nourishment, for poor lying-in married women, and such attentions and comforts us their conditions may rquire.

The first annual report of this society was, the principal concerns being managed by a female Committee of twelve, that the receipts had amounted to £64 5s. and with which, sixty women had been relieved with child-bed linen; several infants had been entirely supplied with raiment; and that a considerable part of the expenditure had taken place in purchasing the articles of nourishment, coals, &c. the whole, in the end, leaving the treasurer minus only in the insignificant amount of £2 14s. 71⁄2d.

It does not appear that the highest donation or subscription to this charity, hitherto, has exceeded one guinea; its fund, notwithstanding, is considered as in a very thriving state; and much, indeed, is it to be deprecated, that it should ever be the reverse. It is grateful to reflection to know, that many and essential are the advantages which trifling sums may produce to the necessitous, if such trifles are but timely bestowed, and properly applied.

THE FOREIGN EXECUTIONER.

A LEGEND OF WHITEHALL.

(From the New European Magazine).

See'st this axe of mine ?-The best blood of the country has been upon its edge!

JOANNA BAILLIE.

Anno 1716 In the January of this year it was my singular fortune to meet with a certain event, which was remarkable not only as a most astonishing memorial of retributive providence, but also as an illustration of one, concerning which many have received erroneous impressions, or have deemed it to be for ever 'lost in oblivion. The unsettled state of Scotland had led me to enforce upon the minds of my hearers, the beauty of loyalty and good order in the sight of God; and the detestation with which the Almighty looks upon anarchy, rebellion, and warfare against